Cartridge and cartridge system

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for flowable material has a flexible envelope having a first and a second opposed ends and defining an envelope volume for receiving the flowable material. A plunger is positioned at the first opposed end. A cover member is positioned at the second opposed end. The second opposed end has a dispensing opening. The dispensing opening has a dispensing diameter so dimensioned, according to a force exertable by the plunger in the envelope volume, a viscosity of the flowable material, and a flexibility of the envelope, as to ensure a minimum inner pressure in the envelope volume in order to prevent inward folding of the envelope into the interior of the envelope volume.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cartridge for flowable media, comprising anenvelope of a flexible material delimiting a volume, wherein theenvelope can be provided at one end with a plunger-type pressing elementand at the other end with an outlet element.

Cartridges for flowable media are known per se. They are containers forstoring, transporting, and dispensing flowable media. Primarily,paste-like medias such as silicone rubber etc. are concerned, which are,for example, used in the construction industry. However, it is alsoknown to fill adhesives, grease or other media into cartridges.

Different types of cartridges are known. In one type a sleeve orenvelope delimiting a volume is provided in the form of a stablehousing-like element which, in general, is provided at one end with adispensing area and at the other end with an opening for a piston-likepressing element. The dispensing area comprises conventionally adispensing opening, whereby it is known to close off the opening is byan element that is a unitary part of the envelope. When needed, thisclosing element is opened by cutting it open so that the dispensingopening results. In the area of the dispensing opening a socket providedwith an inner or outer thread can be provided onto which a dispensingnozzle is placed. Such cartridges are primarily made of plastic so thatwith respect to their manufacture and disposal many expenditures areincurred.

The containers are primarily disposable containers because they cannotbe completely emptied and they cannot be universally employed. Since themost favorable plastic is always selected for manufacturing thecartridges, they are not universally employable for all materials, butfor different media different types of cartridges must be produced. Afurther problem is the incomplete and unsatisfactory emptying of thecartridges. Furthermore, it is easily possible that the operator becomescontaminated with the media. Finally, the produced empty cartridges arealready of a size during transport to the filling station as they areafter filling, i.e., they require a large transporting volume.

Stiff, tubular cartridges with a pressing area at one end and with apiston-shaped pressing element at the other end are emptied with adispensing device into which the tubular element is clamped and withwhich the pressing element is moved by way of a pressure piston.

It is known to use, instead of the cylindrical containers, a hosecontainer for the media to be dispensed. Such hose containers arecomprised substantially of a foil hose which is closed off at both ends.It is known to close off the ends by so-called metal clips. The use ofsuch hose containers is suggested primarily to avoid the disposal of aplurality of emptied cylindrical containers. The manufacture of hosecontainers is simpler and so is their disposal. Since the hosecontainers are not shape-stable, they are inserted into shape-stablecylindrical sleeves for dispensing the media contained therein wherebythe sleeve has at one end a closure with a dispensing opening, forexample, for arranging thereat a nozzle tip. At the other end of thecylindrical outer sleeve pressure can be applied onto the hosecontainer. For dispensing the material contained in the hose container,the container must be opened, which in practice is achieved bydestroying the hose container sleeve by slitting, puncturing etc. Afteremptying, the hose containers are removed from the cylindrical sleevesso that only a small, substantially empty hose container must bedisposed of. Even though this is advantageous in comparison tocylindrical plastic cartridges, such hose containers have thedisadvantage that they can only be used up to a certain filling volume,and it is especially disadvantageous that the dispensing device can becontaminated with the contained material. Also, the operator is usuallyalso coming into contact with the medium. Often, a complete plugging ofthe dispensing means results so that, in practice, they must be disposedof also. Accordingly, the desired advantages are eliminated and theenvironmental impact caused by the disposal of the hose containers, onthe one hand, and of the dispensing devices, on the other hand, isconsiderably increased. These disadvantages are even further complicatedby the contamination of the operator, at the latest during removal ofthe hose container from the dispensing devices.

Hose containers are not shape-stable so that for dispensing of the mediacontained therein they must be inserted into a shape-stable cylindricalsleeve having at one end a closure with a dispensing opening, forexample, for arranging thereat a nozzle tip. At the other end of thecylindrical outer sleeve pressure can be exerted on the hose container.

All of the cartridges of the aforementioned kind therefore have incommon that their disposal is difficult and results in high disposalcosts. Furthermore, the known cartridges cannot be universally employed,are inflexible with regard to their volume, and have disadvantages withrespect to their uncontrollable handling.

Dispensing devices for cartridges of the aforementioned kind are knownper se. A cylindrical receiving element, that is tubular orpart-cylindrical, depending on the type of cartridge, has a dispensingarea and a pressure generating device. The latter can be, for example, apressure piston with which, by moving a lever, vacuum or an increasedpressure within the cylindrical receiving element can be produced.

A prior art device has a pump piston which produces vacuum at thedispensing end of the cartridge, i.e., at the dispensing area of thecylindrical receiving member, and the flowable material thus is suckedout of the cartridge after opening.

However, it was found that such dispensing devices do not guarantee acomplete emptying of the cartridges and, furthermore, do not ensure adefined behavior of the cartridge even within the tubular or cylindricalreceiving member. A defined behavior is, for example, required for newercartridges in order to ensure, on the one hand, a defined emptying ofthe remaining material and on the other hand a controlled folding of thecartridge material in order to make the empty cartridge to be disposedof as small as possible.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide acartridge which is economical with regard to its manufacture and itsfilling, which is comprised of only a small amount of plastic and whichonly causes a minimal environmental impact upon disposal. Furthermore,an application as universally as possible should be provided, emptyingas much as possible should be ensured, and a small transport volumeshould be provided.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a cartridge system which, inaddition to a novel cartridge, also comprises a dispensing device and apressure piston. With this complete cartridge system all economical andtechnical advantages of the new inventive cartridge can be optimallyused and an optimal economic application is realized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As a technical solution of the object a cartridge for a flowable mediumis provided in which a sleeve or envelope of a flexible materialdelimits a volume, whereby at one end a piston-like pressing element andat the other end a cover member is provided whereby in the area of thecover member a dispensing opening is provided having a diameter sodimensioned, under consideration of the forces to be supplied by thepressing element, the viscosity of the flowable medium, and theflexibility of the envelope, as to ensure an inner pressure within thevolume defined by the envelope which effectively counters the tendencyfor folding of the envelope material into the interior of the envelopevolume.

The invention provides a cartridge in which a number of components areadjusted to one another in a defined manner in order to produce aconcrete, reliable result. In this respect, the pressing forcesresulting from geometry of the piston of the piston-shaped plunger andthe diameter of the dispensing opening are matched to one another. Inaddition, the viscosity of the flowable medium and the flexibility ofthe envelope are taken into consideration in order to maintain a minimuminner pressure within the volume delimited by the envelope so that theenvelope material will not fold into the interior of the envelopevolume. The term folding in the context of the present invention is tobe understood such that the flexible material cannot have the tendencyto fold in areas in which there is still medium present in the envelope,especially not a folding tendency transverse to the pressing direction.Such folding would mean a compression of the flexible envelope in thearea between the pressing piston and the dispensing opening so that areliable scraping, and, as will be explained in the following, areliable inversion is no longer ensured. The inventive solution providesin an especially advantageous manner a number of technical features. Onthe one hand, the already mentioned complete scraping of the envelopebody at its inner surface is possible. As a function of the outercircumference of the piston element a defined scraping cross-sectionresults which is not changed or impeded by the possible folding of thisenvelope material. Another technical feature is the inversion of thescraped material. It is obvious that the technical solution cannot besimply reduced to the fact that a dispensing opening as small aspossible is selected because this would impede the desired technicalapplication of the cartridge. The dispensing opening, in contrast,fulfills the requirement of a defined material flow, based on thedispensing conditions but, in cooperation with the other parameters,also provides the necessary minimum pressure. Also, defined andreproducible conditions must be obtained and not random results, forexample, based on cutting-to-length a dispensing nozzle etc.

With the inventive design an envelope of a foil material that is notstiff by itself can be produced and in a defined manner can be used fordispensing the contained medium. During dispensing and duringinterruptions the envelope is stable due to the pressure within theinterior and thus provides for a simple and reliable handling. Due tothe excellent scraping properties the emptying of the remaining materialis improved. It is also possible to use envelopes of a very largefilling volume because due to the defined inner pressure they will stillhave enough stability to be handled. The envelope can be produced byusing only a minimal amount of plastic and thus contributes to energysavings during manufacture and especially to reduction of disposalcosts.

It is especially advantageous that the envelope is comprised of at leastone foil. Advantageously this is a plastic foil. It is possible toemploy inexpensive plastic materials such as polyethylene (PE) or highdensity polyethylene (HDPE), which are very inexpensive materials. In anadvantageous manner the envelope comprises at least onediffusion-resistant layer whereby preferably aluminum is suggested. Theenvelope can be stabilized as a function of its size by additionalfabrics, for example, nylon etc. In an advantageous manner the envelopeis hose-shaped with a substantially round cross-section.

The cover member is a disk-shaped or cup-shaped element according to anadvantageous embodiment of the invention. In an advantageous manner itis connected to one end of the sleeve so as to close it off. Theenvelope is preferably produced from a foil hose and is connected withone end along the entire circumference to the cup-shaped cover member.The cup-shaped cover member is advantageously comprised of plastic andcan be coated with a further advantageous diffusion-resistant coating,for example, aluminum foil. In order to produce the connection, theoutlet element may be provided with grooves into which a clampingelement is clipped whereby the foil of the envelope is clampedtherebetween. The clamping element is advantageously disk-shaped.

It is especially advantageous that the cover member is cup-shaped andthat the grooves are provided at the cylindrical inner wall of the cup.The cover member is inserted into the envelope with the bottom of thecup facing the interior of the envelope. The envelope edge is thenfolded over the edge of the cup. An annular or disk-shaped clampingelement is then snapped into the cup and will rest therein within thegrooves. The envelope material positioned therebetween is thereforeclamped. With this embodiment the pulling forces acting on the envelopematerial are thus reduced multiple times by multiple deflections.

The cover member comprises advantageously an opening socket which formsthe dispensing opening. The opening socket can be provided at itsinterior or exterior with a thread, preferable a trapezoidal thread. Afilling device or a dispensing nozzle can be connected to thetrapezoidal thread. The trapezoidal thread has a special advantage inthat it can receive pressure forces effectively.

The opening socket can be closed off by a closure cap threaded into thethread. The closure cap can advantageously have a grip stay for grippingit and can furthermore be provided advantageously with a bore, forexample, in order to suspend the cartridge. The closure cap can beinserted preferably by interposing a foil element, preferably, adiffusion-resilient foil element.

With the inventively disclosed embodiment a cartridge is provided that,in comparison to the prior art, is completely new and, despite itseconomical manufacture, can be resealed. By interposing a foil piece,for example, an aluminum cap, which may also be plastic-coated, theenvelope volume can be closed off in a diffusion-stable manner. Thus, itis also possible to close off the once opened volume for later use ofthe contained medium.

The nozzle connected to the opening socket has a threaded area and anozzle portion.

The piston-shaped pressing element is according to an especiallyadvantageous embodiment of the invention, a cup-shaped plunger. Thiselement, comprised preferably of plastic, can be connected to theenvelope at one end thereof in order to close it off, as suggested withan especially advantageous embodiment of the invention. The cup-shapedplunger is then inserted into the envelope with its cup bottom leadingand is then connected with its circumferential area to the envelopematerial of the envelope. The cup bottom contour corresponds to thenegative shape of the bottom of the cover member so that the degree ofemptying is substantially increased. In an especially advantageousmanner, the circumference of the plunger is provided with a wiping edgein order to scrape the interior of the envelope when the plunger isforced through the envelope.

For attaching the plunger to the envelope material, it is suggested inan advantageous manner to provide a snap-on groove and to employ aclamping element so that also in the area of the pressing element a typeof connection is possible that has already been disclosed in connectionwith the cover member. The plunger as well as the cover member can beconnected in any other suitable manner to the envelope material, forexample, by an adhesive, welding, etc.

The plunger, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,may be provided with reinforcement ribs.

Due to the aforedescribed inventive embodiment a cartridge can beproduced in a simple manner by using a foil hose which at one end isclosed off by a cover member attached by a clip connection and at theother end by the plunger element attached by a clip connection. Theinventive embodiment ensures, while using simple and economicallyproducible elements, also a simple application and economical disposalbecause the materials can be selected by taking into considerationdisposal problems. A special advantage is that the plunger can be guidedthrough the interior of the envelope volume to the cover member wherebythe flexible envelope material is folded over into the area of theplunger rear edge. Once the plunger face of the plunger has reached thebottom of the cover member, the envelope has been shortened by half itslength within itself. This especially advantageous aspect of theinvention has a number of advantages. After manufacture of the inventivecartridge it is possible to move the plunger to the cover member eitherby simple vacuum generation or by pushing the plunger through theinterior volume. The envelope to be transported while empty is thus onlyhalf as long as a plastic cartridge of the same filling volume. Thus,the transporting costs are considerably reduced, i.e., by at least 50%.Due to the flexibility of the envelope a further reduction is possiblewhen using corresponding packing methods. For filling, the plunger canbe returned into its original position by applying a slight pressure andthe envelope can be completely filled. It is also advantageous thatpractically no air is present in the interior of the envelope at thebeginning of the filling process. When using the device as suggested,the plunger is then moved by a suitable pressing device in the directiontoward the cover member. Due to the selected dimensioning of the plungerface under consideration of the viscosity of the medium and theflexibility of the envelope as well as the dimensioning of the outletopening in the area of the cover member, there is always sufficientinner pressure within the interior of the envelope for stabilizing theenvelope and forcing the envelope outwardly to thereby avoid or preventfolding. Thus, the envelope can be completely scraped empty by themoving plunger and, this is especially important, the envelope is notcompressed between the plunger and the cover member but instead iseasily folded behind the plunger and follows the plunger because the endof the envelope is fastened to the plunger. The plunger is positioned atthe cover member upon complete emptying of the envelope. Thus, thedegree of emptying is correspondingly excellent and surpasses in anyrespect the legislative regulations. The emptied cartridge can thus notcontaminate the operator and can be disposed of with considerablereduction of the disposal costs. The amount of plastic, in comparison toconventional cartridges, can be considerably lowered, for example, by70%.

When interrupting use of the cartridge before it is completely emptied,the cartridge can be resealed by a closure cap. It is possible to insertin an inventive manner a cover plate or cover cap. The reservoirremaining within the cartridge can thus be stored again.

When a cartridge is filled in the aforementioned manner, at the end ofthe filling process, a closure cap is also fastened by interposing aclosure element. The closure element in the form of a preferablydeep-drawn foil cap provides the original closure and must be destroyedbefore dispensing the medium.

In an especially advantageous manner, the contour of the closure bottomis designed such that together with the filled inner volume, on the onehand, a defined amount of filling volume and, on the other hand, adefined inner pressure is also ensured. For this purpose, the closurecap can be provided, for example, with a defined bore in which duringfilling a remaining medium amount is received in a defined manner.

It is especially suggested that the dispensing opening, which isresponsive to the inner pressure, is provided in the area of the covermember opening. The cover member has, as disclosed above, an openingsocket having in its interior an outlet opening. In the area of thissocket an opening of a defined diameter can be formed which representsthe inventively designed pressure-effective dispensing opening.

In the alternative, it is suggested in an advantageous manner that thepressure-effective dispensing opening is provided within the threadedportion of the nozzle. Nozzles are embodied in a manner known per sewith a predetermined length having a tapering cross-section. Theoperator can then cut to length the nozzle as desired to generate therequired nozzle diameter. However, this area is not pressure-effectivein the sense of the present invention, because the pressure-effectivedispensing opening is provided within the lower portion of the nozzle,preferably within the threaded portion, which is not to be cut tolength.

Of course, it is within the gist of the invention to embody thepressure-effective dispensing opening in a combined manner at the covermember and at the nozzle.

Advantageously, it is suggested with the present invention that thecover member outlet opening tapers with its end facing the envelopevolume in an annular manner. Due to this annular tapering of the outletopening a sealing lip, respectively, sealing surface is provided ontowhich, for example, the nozzle or the closure cap can be threaded.Furthermore, in a simple manner a foil can be applied which can be aneffective diffusion-resistant closure and connect in the manner asdescribed above as the original seal.

It is also suggested with the present invention that the already emptypart of the envelope behind the plunger can be compressed in the axialdirection. With this measure, which can be realized, for example, by arespective design of the pressing device, the final volume of the emptyenvelope is reduced to a minimal portion of its original length which isalso favorable with regard to disposal.

With the present invention a completely new cartridge type is realizedwhich provides excellent economical manufacture, an economical transportof the empty cartridges, and simple filling action. The inventivecartridge, since primarily foil-like materials are used, can be designedfor a substantially universal application, for example, by employingpolyethylene-coated aluminum foil. The complete weight can be reduced toone third of conventional plastic cartridges in the empty state. Thetransport cost savings of the empty cartridges are thus substantial.After filling, the cartridges can accommodate also large filling volumesbecause a pressure filling is possible in a simple manner. Due to thedesign with defined cooperation of components that takes intoconsideration different parameters, it is primarily ensured that areproducible behavior of the cartridge during emptying is realized sothat in a defined manner the degree of emptying and the resultingdefined and reproducible disposal size is ensured. Due to the definedinversion of the envelope accomplished by maintaining the minimal innerpressure, the envelope is carefully scraped and at least reduced to halfits length by folding. A further compression is favorable in regard todisposal. In an especially advantageous manner the inventive cartridgecan be sealed after filling with a diffusion-resistant original seal andis also advantageously resealable.

With regard to the cartridge system the invention also suggests apressure piston with a pressure surface area at one end of asubstantially cylindrical piston wall portion. It comprises an annularflange at the end face opposite the pressure surface area. The annularflange has an annular groove facing the pressure surface area.

With the inventive pressure piston it is achieved that the pressuresurface within the cartridge causes the desired dispensing of thecartridge contents while the cartridge walls for a sufficient movementof the pressure piston will contact the annular groove and will beguided by it from the longitudinal direction into the transversedirection. Since the envelope is cylindrical, the inwardly orientedtransverse forces result in considerable tension in the area contactingthe annular groove so that the cartridge is folded in this area.

The pressure piston, according to an advantageous suggestion of theinvention, is provided with a fastening bore for the push rod of apressure device. The pressure piston may also be a component of apneumatic or hydraulic pressure device. The fastening bore for thepressure plunger, according to an advantageous embodiment, is a centralthreaded bore.

It is also advantageously suggested that the piston wall portion extendsconically, preferably from the pressure surface to the annular groovesuch that its diameter increases in this direction.

The pressure piston, according to an advantage ous embodiment of theinvention, is a plastic element. Such elements can be economicallyproduced as an injection-molded part.

The invention provides a pressure piston for pressing cartridges,especially cartridges with flexible envelope material, that can beeasily produced and can be effectively handled. Such a pressure pistoncan be used to retrofit existing dispensing devices.

Furthermore, with respect to the cartridge system it is suggested withthe inventive device to provide a dispensing device such that an almostcomplete emptying of an inserted cartridge, on the one hand, and apredetermined compression of the cartridge, on the other hand, areensured. It is suggested with the invention to provide a dispensingdevice for flowable media contained in cartridges with at least onesubstantially cylindrical receiving member for a cartridge, at least onedispensing area for the flowable medium at one end portion of thereceiving member, and a device for producing a pressure that deviatesfrom normal pressure at one end portion of the receiving member. Asecond device for producing a pressure deviating from the normalpressure is provided with which a pressure is produced at the other endportion deviating from the normal pressure in the opposite direction.

Thus, the invention intends to produce a vacuum at the dispensing areaof the receiving member and to produce, in addition, an increasedpressure at the opposite end. Due to the adjustability, respectively,controllability of the pressure ratios it is automatically achieved thatemptying can be controlled, on the one hand, while, on the other hand,the material behavior of the inserted cartridge can be controlled.

It is thus inventively suggested that the second device is a pistonelement. It produces preferably an air pressure which deviates fromnormal pressure. In an especially advantageous manner it is suggestedthat the pressure-generating device is a double piston element. Such adouble piston element can produce upon movement in one direction at onecylinder end a vacuum and upon movement in the other direction at theother cylinder end an increased pressure. This requires only arespective line design. The double piston element can preferably beactuated by a lever whereby a single or two moveable levers can be used.The pressure deviating from normal pressure is advantageously loweredair pressure, respectively, increased air pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and features of the invention result from thefollowing description in conjunction with the figures.

It is shown in:

FIG. 1 a schematic part-sectional representation of a cartridge half inone embodiment;

FIG. 2 a representation according to FIG. 1 in another operationalstate;

FIG. 3 a representation according to FIG. 1 in another operationalstate;

FIG. 4 a plan view of a cover member;

FIG. 5 a sectional view of the cover member according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 a bottom view of the cover member according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 a view of detail VII according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 a plan view of a clamping disk;

FIG. 9 a sectional view of the clamping disk according to FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 a plan view of a plunger;

FIG. 11 a sectional view of the plunger according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 a bottom view of the plunger according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 a plan view of a clamping ring;

FIG. 14 a sectional view of the clamping ring of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 a view of a nozzle tip;

FIG. 16 a sectional view of the nozzle tip according to FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 a side view of a closure cap;

FIG. 18 a plan view of the closure cap according to FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 a sectional view of the closure cap according to FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 a schematic view of an embodiment for a pressure piston;

FIG. 21 a part-sectional view of a further embodiment of a pressurepiston;

FIG. 22 a plan view of the embodiment according to FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 a schematic representation of an embodiment for a dispensingdevice.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of a cartridge and individual parts thereof shown in theFigues serve to illustrate the invention. The cartridge 1, shown inFIGS. 1 through 3, comprises an envelope 2 that delimits a volume, andin the shown embodiment, is in the form of a cylindrical envelope. Theenvelope is, for example, a composite foil of PE, AL as an impermeablelayer, i.e., a diffusion-resistant layer, that is resistant to vapor,gas, UV radiation, etc. as well as a composite stabilization by BO-NY(biaxially oriented nylon). The foil forms a cylindrical hose which atone end is closed off by a cover member 3 and at the other end by aplunger 4. The foil 2 is fixedly connected to the cover member 3 as wellas to the plunger 4. The cover member 3 comprises an opening socket 5.In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, a nozzle 6 is threaded into theopening socket which has an inner thread. In the embodiment according toFIG. 2, a closure cap 7 is introduced into the opening socket 5 insteadof the nozzle 6. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the cartridge 1is in a state in which the plunger 4 is moved into the interior of theenvelope 2 to the cover member 3. This is either the transport positionin which the cartridge has only half its standard length or is theposition after complete dispensing. In FIG. 3 it is also shown that thecontour of the plunger face is substantially congruent to the contour ofthe cover member bottom so that a substantially complete emptying ispossible. The envelope 2 is inverted behind the plunger 4. In thisposition a light and small transporting unit for filling is provided.After emptying a small unit that is easy to dispose of results wherebythe folded envelope 2 according to FIG. 3 can be further compressed by acorresponding device.

With respect to the further Figures the individual construction elementsof the cartridge will be explained.

FIGS. 4 through 9 show an embodiment of a cover member. In FIG. 4 acover member 8 is shown in a plan view which comprises the centrallyarranged opening socket 5. The sectional representation according toFIG. 5 shows that the cover member is substantially cup- or pan-shapedand has an edge 9. The bottom 10 has a contour which facilitatescomplete emptying and air-free filling. In the interior of the openingsocket 5 a trapezoidal thread 11 is provided. The trapezoidal threadserves for fastening a nozzle or a closure cap. The embodiment of thethread 11 as a trapezoidal thread facilitates compensation of pullingand pressure forces during filling as well as during dispensing. In theinner portion of the edge 9 an annular groove 12 is provided. As can beseen in the detailed representation according to FIG. 7, in the area ofthe transition from the bottom 10 into the opening socket 5 the openingtapers annularly. This tapered ring 41 has numerous functions. On theone hand, its design at the side of the thread is such that it providesa sealing surface which favors sealing relative to a nozzle or a closurecap.

The aforementioned annular groove 12 serves for receiving a clampingdisk 13 which, as shown in FIG. 9, has an annular stay 14 with anoutwardly positioned cam ring. The cover member 8 is inserted such intothe hose sleeve so that the bottom 10 faces the volume defined by theenvelope. The edges of the foil sleeve project past the edge 9 of thecover element 8 and are folded in the direction toward the openingsocket 5. Subsequently, the clamping disk 13 is slipped over the openingsocket 5 until the cam ring 15 snaps into the annular groove 12 tothereby clamp the hose foil material over the entire annularcircumference. This produces a diffusion-tight and pressure-tightconnection between the foil hose and the cover member.

In FIGS. 10 to 14 an embodiment of a plunger is shown. The plunger iscomprised of a plunger head 16 which has a plunger face 17 of a curvedcontour 18 that has a transition into the plunger edge 19. Thetransition is extremely angular and the plunger edge 19 can be embodiedso as to conically taper away from the plunger face. This results in asharp angle that facilitates scraping of the inner side of the foil. Inthe interior of the cup defined by the plunger edge 19 and the backsideof the plunger face 17 an annular groove 20 is provided. A clamping ring22 can be inserted into it which is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. It has inthe area of the annular stay 23 an annular bead 23 which can be snappedinto the annular groove 20. Here the end of the foil hose can also befolded so that the plunger face 17 faces the interior of the envelopeand projects past the plunger edge 19. Upon insertion of the clampingring 13 and snapping of the annular bead 24 into the annular groove 20,the foil edge material is clamped and a tight and secure connectionresults. The plunger head 16 as is shown in the bottom view of FIG. 12,is provided with reinforcing ribs which in the shown embodiment have anangle of respectively 45° relative to one another.

The disclosed embodiment shows that without auxiliary elements thecartridge shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 can be produced with simple meansby clip or clamping connections. All of the disclosed elements can becoated or embodied so as to be diffusion-resistant. Conventionally, thedisclosed lid and plunger elements are made of HDPE which isphysiologically innocuous and very inexpensive. Of course, theseelements can be protected against diffusion, for example, by an aluminumcoating or covering. Also, the sleeve material can be correspondinglyfolded over and fastened.

It has been shown that the combination of functional bodies withclamping elements allows for a multi-step clamping action so that, forexample, the foil can be clamped in the area of the cover member at aplurality of locations in transitional areas which increases thestability and sealing action. Multiple deflections of the foil in thecontext of its fastening at the disclosed cover member and/or plungerelements also allow for the deflection and compensation of occurringforces.

In FIGS. 15 and 16 an embodiment for a nozzle 6 is shown which comprisesa threaded portion 25 and a nozzle portion 26. The nozzle portion 26comprises a nozzle tip 27 and furthermore a number of markings foropenings 28 where the nozzle can be cut in order to achieve the desireddefined through opening of a predetermined diameter. Conventionally,through openings of 3 mm at the tip, and with a jump of respectively 2mm from opening to opening, are provided. In the area of the lower edgeof the nozzle the outlet opening 30 is provided in an annular shape. InFIG. 1 the mounted position of the nozzle 6 at the cartridge 1 is shownwhereby it is visible that the nozzle tip with its lowermost, bevelededge of the threaded portion rests sealingly at the tapered ring 41within the opening socket 5. Furthermore, it tapers inwardly to form anoutlet opening of a defined diameter. This contour in the threadedportion at the transition of the nozzle defines the dispensing openingwhich in cooperation with the plunger surface, the material viscosity,and the envelope flexibility ensures maintaining a minimum innerpressure within the cartridge, independent of the respective diametersresulting from cutting to length the nozzle.

In FIGS. 17 through 19 an embodiment of a closure cap 7 is shown whichhas also a threaded portion 31 and provides a cup-shaped closure. At theupper closure surface a grip stay 32 is provided which allows actuationof the closure cap. A bore 33 is provided within this grip stay 32 inthe shown embodiment which allows for suspending the closed cartridge.Reinforcement ribs 34 on both sides of the grip stay 32 serve tostabilize it. In the interior of the cup-shaped closure cap 7 a bore 35is defined. This bore 35 is embodied such that after completion offilling in the position shown in FIG. 2 a defined medium distributionand a defined inner pressure is ensured. A foil cover can be introducedinto the closure cap, respectively, can be placed onto it and can beclamped within the thread. This closure cap serves as an original sealand must be destroyed before dispensing. It can be embodied so as to bediffusion-resistant in order to design the cartridge in its interiorsuch that it is completely diffusion-tight.

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of a pressure piston to be used with adispensing device. This embodiment allows for further advantageous useof the invention. This pressure piston 36 comprises a cylindrical pistonportion 37 with which pressure is applied onto the bottom of the plunger4 of a cartridge 1. The cartridge 1, as shown in FIG. 1, is insertedadvantageously into a tubular receiving member which at one end has anoutlet opening for the nozzle 6 and serves as an abutment for the covermember 3. At the opposite end, pressure is applied to the bottom of theplunger 4 by the pressure piston 36. It is slowly displaced in thedirection toward the cover member whereby due to the defined dispensingopening within the interior a minimum pressure is maintained whichprovides for a continuously tight envelope 2 that will not foldinwardly. Only this design ensures that the material of the envelope 2,after the plunger 4 has been moved within the envelope 2 so as to scrapethe interior, is folded behind the plunger 4, as shown in FIG. 3. Uponfurther displacement of the plunger 4 the folded area will become longerand longer. With a pressure piston according to FIG. 20 the folded areabehind the plunger 4 is thus extended more and more and displaced to therear until the edge, respectively, annular groove 40 has been reached.Here the folded area is again deflected and slowly axially compressed.Further pressure is exerted onto the pressure piston 36 by the bottomplate 39. The pressure piston is guided in a tubular element whereby theguide edge 38 is substantially guided at the inner wall of the tube. Thefolded foil portion will remain along the inner wall of the tube in thefolded form and will move slowly through the annular groove in thedirection of the cylindrical wall portion of the piston area 37 wherefurther folding, inverting etc. takes place. A cartridge that has beenemptied and compressed as disclosed can be disposed of in a simple andspace-saving manner.

In an advantageous manner the cartridges of the shown embodiments can beproduced in various sizes. For example, filling volumes of approximately600 ml are very suitable whereby the transport unit can be shortened to300 ml which is approximately a length of 170 mm. A transport volumereduction by 60% relative to conventional cartridges can thus beachieved which have a total cartridge length of approximately 230 mm.Furthermore, the transported cartridge according to FIG. 3 issubstantially free of air and can be directly pressure-filled. Theplunger is then axially displaced such that the foil is tightened andthe respective filling volume is achieved. Subsequently, a closure capis attached whereby, as an original seal, a foil cap may be appliedalso. It can be, for example, a deep-drawn aluminum part. All stableplastic elements are advantageously made of HDPE, optionally coated withaluminum. The end position at the nozzle causes an increased pressureduring the dispensing step within the envelope which results in that thefoil cannot fold inwardly and is instead stabilized. This effect ensuresthat the plunger can glide along the inner side of the foil and canscrape it, whereby simultaneously the scraped foil is entrained so thatthe emptying of the cartridge below 1% is possible. With a pressurepiston of a dispensing tool according to FIG. 20 a compression of up toapproximately 15% of the original size is possible.

The wall portion 46 of the piston as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 21and 22 is conical. At the opposite end an annular flange 44 is providedwhich has a fastening device for fastening thereto a dispensing device.In the case of FIG. 22 it is a thread or a clip, in the case of FIGS. 21and 22 it is a threaded bore 45.

The annular flange comprises, at the surface facing in the direction ofthe pressure surface 43, an annular groove 47 which is suitable toradially support the envelope material moving along the piston wall andto tension it in order to provide in this manner for a directed folding.

The device shown in FIG. 23 is a dispensing device 48 including areceiving tube 49 into which the cartridge is inserted in a manner knownper se (not shown). At one end a dispensing opening 50 is provided, atthe other end a lid is connectable.

At the dispensing side a piston (not shown) 52 is inserted with which,via the gear system 54 and the lever, stroke movements can be performed.A cartridge inserted into the receiving tube 49 is opened, connected tothe dispensing area or, as shown in the shown embodiment, is opened bythe opening device 53. The movement of the lever 55 reciprocates thepiston via the gear system. At the side of the dispensing outlet 50vacuum is produced, while at the side of the lid 51 increased pressureis produced. For this purpose, in the shown embodiment, the lever 56 isstationary and connected yo a line 57 for transmitting pressure.

The pressure transmission can also be performed differently so that bothlevers can be moved. The gear system design is without consequences inregard to the gist of the present invention.

The disclosed embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are notlimiting.

The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to thespecific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but alsoencompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. Cartridge for flowable material, said cartridge comprising:aflexible envelope having a first and a second opposed ends and definingan envelope volume for receiving the flowable material; a plungerpositioned at said first opposed end; a cover member positioned at saidsecond opposed end; said second opposed end having a dispensing opening;said dispensing opening having a dispensing diameter so dimensioned,according to a force exertable by said plunger in said envelope volume,a viscosity of the flowable material, and a flexibility of saidenvelope, as to ensure a minimum inner pressure in said envelope volumein order to prevent inward folding of said envelope into the interior ofsaid envelope volume.
 2. Cartridge according to claim 1, wherein saidenvelope is comprised of at least one foil strip.
 3. Cartridge accordingto claim 2, wherein said foil strip consists of a plastic strip. 4.Cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said envelope comprises adiffusion-resistant material.
 5. Cartridge according to claim 1 whereinsaid envelope comprises a fabric reinforcement.
 6. Cartridge accordingto claim 1, wherein said envelope is a hose.
 7. Cartridge according toclaim 1, wherein said cover member is a disk or a cup.
 8. Cartridgeaccording to claim 7, wherein said cover member closes off said secondopposed end of said envelope and is connected along its entirecircumference to said envelope.
 9. Cartridge according to claim 8,wherein said cover member comprises a groove and a clamping element,wherein said envelope is secured at said cover member by inserting saidclamping element into said groove.
 10. Cartridge according to claim 9,wherein said clamping element is a disk.
 11. Cartridge according toclaim 1, wherein said cover member consists of plastic.
 12. Cartridgeaccording to claim 11, wherein said cover member comprises adiffusion-resistant layer.
 13. Cartridge according to claim 1, whereinsaid cover member comprises an outlet socket.
 14. Cartridge according toclaim 13, wherein said outlet socket comprises a thread.
 15. Cartridgeaccording to claim 1, comprising a closure cap for closing off saidsecond opposed end.
 16. Cartridge according to claim 15, wherein saidclosure cap has a stay-shaped grip.
 17. Cartridge according to claim 15,wherein said closure cap has an inner bore.
 18. Cartridge according toclaim 1, further comprising a nozzle connected to said cover member. 19.Cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said plunger 4 is cup-shaped.20. Cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said plunger consists ofplastic.
 21. Cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said plunger isconnected to said first opposed end of said envelope and closes off saidenvelope.
 22. Cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said plunger has aplunger surface and wherein said cover element has a bottom surface,wherein a contour of said plunger surface matches a contour of saidbottom surface.
 23. Cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said plungerhas a wiping edge.
 24. Cartridge according to claim 1, furthercomprising a clamping element, wherein said envelope is secured at saidcover member by inserting said clamping element into at least oneannular groove of said cover member.
 25. Cartridge according to claim 1,wherein said plunger has reinforcement ribs.
 26. Cartridge according toclaim 1, wherein said cover member has an outlet and wherein saiddispensing opening is located in the vicinity of said outlet of saidcover member.
 27. Cartridge according to claim 26, wherein said outletcomprises a tapering ring that tapers inwardly toward said envelopevolume.
 28. Cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzleconnected to said cover member, wherein said dispensing opening isprovided at said nozzle.
 29. Cartridge according to claim 28, whereinsaid nozzle has a threaded portion and wherein said dispensing openingis provided within said threaded portion.
 30. Cartridge according toclaim 1 compressible by a pressure-applying dispensing device. 31.Dispensing device comprising:a cylindrical receiving element forreceiving a cartridge according to claim 1; said cylindrical receivingelement having two opposed end section, wherein one of said opposed endsections is a dispensing section for dispensing a flowable materialcontained in the cartridge; a first device for producing a firstpressure greater than normal pressure at one of said opposed endsections; a second device for producing a second pressure smaller thannormal pressure at the other one of said opposed end sections. 32.Dispensing device according to claim 31, wherein said first and secondpressures are increased air pressure and decreased lowered air pressure,respectively.
 33. Dispensing device according to claim 31, wherein saidfirst and second devices are plungers.
 34. Dispensing device accordingto claim 33, wherein said first and second devices are combined to adouble piston element.
 35. Dispensing device according to claim 31,further comprising levers for actuating said first and second devices.36. Dispensing device according to claim 35, wherein said first andsecond devices comprise pressure lines for transmitting pressure fromsaid first and second devices to said opposed end sections. 37.Dispensing device according to claim 36, wherein said pressure lines arearranged in one of said levers.
 38. Pressure piston for a cartridgeaccording to claim 1, said pressure piston comprising:an annular wallportion having a first and a second end face; a pressure surfaceconnected to said first end face of said annular wall portion; anannular flange connected to said second end face of said annular wallportion; said annular flange having an annular groove opening towardsaid first end face.
 39. Pressure piston according to claim 38,comprising a fastening device for a pressure element.
 40. Pressurepiston according to claim 39, wherein said fastening device is a centralthreaded bore.
 41. Pressure piston according to claim 38, wherein saidannular wall portion is conical.
 42. Pressure piston according to claim38, consisting of plastic.